95 Palestinian minors detained in Israel’s Ofer prison since the beginning of 2015

A report issued on Wednesday by the Commission of Prisoners and Released Prisoners has revealed that 95 Palestinian minors are languishing in the Israeli prison Ofer since the beginning of 2015, in light of Israel’s continued policy to pursue and detain Palestinian children.

The commission’s report stated that the total fines imposed by the occupation’s courts on minors in the Ofer prison since the beginning of 2015 amounted to ILS108,000 (equivalent to $27,000).

The report pointed out that the total number of minors in Israeli jails amounted to nearly 300, held in Ofer prison, Hasharon and Megiddo. 95% of those were trialled over periods between 6 months and 3 years.

Some of the detained minors are aged 12 and 13 years, the report added.

The commission’s report mentioned that the occupation authorities do not adhere to international standards regarding the detention of minors and that there are no special courts for them.

According to the report, most of the detained children suffer from beatings, torture and ill-treatment during their detention and interrogation. In addition, they are not allowed to be accompanied by a parent during interrogation.

The report highlighted children’s testimonies that the occupation authorities used repressive methods during questioning them, such as shabah (torture while hands are tied to a chair), beatings, prolonged solitary confinement, intimidation, pressure and threat.